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As Euro 2024 approaches, football fans across the continent are gearing up for a summer of thrilling international action.
While the focus will undoubtedly be on the battle for European supremacy, the tournament also serves as a grand stage for individual talents to showcase their skills.
With club scouts and managers keenly watching, standout performances could lead to significant transfers in the aftermath.
Read on, as we highlight four players who could be on the move after Euro 2024, examining their potential destinations and the impact they could have.
Johan Bakayoko – Belgium
Belgium are outsiders in the Euro 24 odds winner and the consensus is that this is the last chance for their ‘golden generation’ to win a major tournament.
However, they are still churning out exciting products from their conveyor belt of talent, and PSV winger Johan Bakayoko is one of those.
A young player with big dreams, the 21-year-old recently revealed that he has ambitions of winning the Ballon d’Or and the Euros could thrust him into the spotlight.
Bakayoko scored 14 goals and provided as many assists last season as PSV won the Eredivisie, and he has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Arsenal as a result.
A big Euros will drive his stock further and potentially raise PSV’s asking price.
Xavi Simons – Netherlands
Xavi Simons is another 21-year-old striving for big things this summer, as he’s set to represent the Netherlands at his first European Championships.
Simons was an exciting prodigy, coming through the youth ranks of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain before moving on to PSV after a lack of game time in PSG’s senior side.
The attacking midfielder spent just one season at Philips Stadion, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists, before returning to Paris.
Simons enjoyed a successful loan at RB Leipzig last season, scoring eight times and registering 11 assists, and is now linked with moves to Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
The 21-year-old is a regular starter for the Netherlands and could be a contender for the Young of the Season if he can help Ronald Koeman’s side progress deep in the tournament.
Jarred Branthwaite – England
Jarred Branthwaite had a breakthrough campaign for Everton last season, and his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s side for the Euros would have been entirely justified.
The 21-year-old centre-back featured 35 times for the Toffees in the Premier League, keeping 12 clean sheets and even chipping in with three goals.
Minutes might have been hard to come by for Branthwaite in Germany, as Southgate is likely to side with someone more experienced alongside John Stones to enhance the Three Lions’ chances in the England odds.
Nonetheless, Manchester United will be watching closely as new owner Jim Ratcliffe prepares for a summer overhaul of Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Benjamin Sesko – Slovenia
One of Europe’s most exciting young strikers, Benjamin Sesko is a hot commodity this summer and is out to make headlines at the Euros for Slovenia.
The 21-year-old earned a move from RB Salzburg to their sister club RB Leipzig last summer after scoring 16 times in 30 games for the Austrian side and he netted 14 times in 31 Bundesliga games last season.
Slovenia face a tough task in Germany, as they are paired alongside England, Denmark and Serbia in Group C, but Sesko can cause defences problems and Slovenia could prove to be plucky underdogs.
Chelsea and Arsenal are already primed to go head-to-head for the 21-year-old, but a good Euros from Sesko could see the London rivals ramp up their efforts and one of this summer’s biggest bidding wars could ensue.